Waterfall Walk

This walk explores the upper section of Sawpit Creek from the Sawpit Creek picnic area beside Kosciuszko Road. You will follow a circuit track visiting the main highlight, a small but lovely cascade near the halfway point. The walk guides through the tall eucalypt forest, exploring the sides of the valley and passing some frost hollows and large granite boulder outcrops. An enjoyable way of exploring this pocket of Kosciuszko National Park

Snow & Ice on walk

This walk leads through an alpine environment and all walkers must be well prepared. During summer, be prepared for both hot and cold weather, high winds, rain, extreme UV levels and some sections of snow or ice on the ground. Before starting this walk, check advice with Snowy Region Visitor Information Centre (02) 6450 5600, the weather forecast and the snow conditions then change your plans as needed. These notes, grades and walking times have been written for use in the summer months only. Between May and the end of October, there is a much higher change of snow, ice and extremely cold conditions.

Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat

The ‘Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat’ is a caravan park about 1km further into Kosciuszko NP from the paystation on Kosciuszko Rd. The retreat provides cabins and chalets as well as powered and un-powered camping sites. The retreat has a public phone[1], a small kiosk[2], drying room[3], laundry and kids playground. Dave and Gina welcome guests all year round, with many guest skiing in winter and walking in the warmer months. More info.

Sawpit Creek Picnic Area

Sawpit Creek Picnic Area is found beside Kosciuszko Rd, and is accessed through the ‘Kosciuszko Mountain Retreat’ driveway[4]. The picnic area is about 1km further into the park from the NPWS pay station. A great starting point for several popular walks, this is also a pleasent spot to just stop and rest. Sawpit Creek[5] runs along the side of the open area and there are also several picnic tables[6], wood BBQs[7] and a non-flush toilet[8]. There are information signs about the area, explaining that the creek is named for the Alpine Ash that were milled in the area during the 1860s [9].

(0km) Waterfall trackhead → Tunnel intersection

60 m

1 mins

1m

0m

Easy track

From the ‘Waterfall Track’ sign[10] (on the western side of Sawpit Creek Picnic Area), this walk follows the paved footpath upstream through the underpass[11], under Kosciuszko Rd. The underpass may become impassable after rain, in which case you can walk around and cross over the road. The walk passes through the tunnel[12], then leads across the clearing[13] a short distance to find an intersection marked with a National Parks arrow[14] (and a footbridge a short distance to your right).

(0.06km) Tunnel intersection → Waterfall Lookout

2.5 km

48 mins

103m

-24m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads along the track into the bush following the National Parks sign[15], directly away from the road[16]. The track leads up along the side of the hill, keeping Sawpit Creek a short distance to your right. After walking through the wooded forest[17] for about 400m, the track crosses a small gully on a metal grate[18], then about 300m later crosses a wider open area[19] on a longer metal path[20]. The track then leads through the forest for about 500m, passing another clearing before crossing an old management trail marked with a series of white and blue posts[21] (marking a buried water main). About 300m further along, the track passes the same series of white and blue posts[22] again, before climbing up a short but moderately steep climb[23] and wandering along the side of the steep valley[24] among the tall alpine ash[25] (Eucalyptus delegatensis). The track then leads up a some timber steps[27] (with a revegetating trail crossing the track[28]) and, about 150m later, comes to the top of some metal steps[29] and the lookout at the waterfall[30].

Waterfall Lookout

This waterfall on upper Sawpit Creek is not formally named, but is the focal point of the waterfall track that passes just in front of the falls. The water cascades down these fairly wide falls to a shallow pool below[31]. The main fall is about 4m high but the overall cascades are taller. NPWS have installed a metal bridge[32] for crossing the creek, and a small platform[33] on the south side that provides the best view of the falls.

(2.52km) Waterfall Lookout → Granite Outcrop

1.6 km

36 mins

97m

-55m

Moderate track

Turn right: From the waterfall lookout[34], this walk heads down the metal stairs[35] and crosses the creek just below the waterfall. This walk then follows the metal path and steps[36] to the right as they lead up and out of the valley. The metal path soon stops and the dirt track leads along the side of the hill before climbing a last set of metal steps[37]. The track continues to lead further away from the main valley through the eucalypt forest and about 300m after crossing Sawpit Creek, this track leads past a ‘3K’ timber milestone[38]. The track then heads down to cross a gully[39], then about 200m later crosses another gully with a metal erosion control grate[40]. From here, the track meanders through the forest for about 800m to come to a large granite outcrop[41] (mostly on your right). Here the walk continues down for another 150m through a series of granite boulders[42] to another even larger and clearer granite outcrop[43] (on your right). There is a clear view down over Lake Jindabyne[44] from the top of these boulders – much care is needed if climbing them.

Granite Outcrop

This granite outcrop is perched on the northern side of Sawpit Creek. The track passes by the rocks[45], but in favourable weather and with great care, walkers can climb up on some of these rocks[46] to enjoy the view down the valley. The view extends down Sawpit Creek valley to Lake Jindabyne and parts of the Jindabyne township.

(4.1km) Granite Outcrop → Waterfall trackhead

1.7 km

32 mins

4m

-125m

Moderate track

Continue straight: From the granite outcrop[47], this walk follows the track gently downhill, keeping the main valley to your right. The track leads past a few more granite boulders then, after about 700m, passes a ‘1K’ timber milestone[48]. About 500m further downhill, the track turns right at an interesting burnt tree[49] before passing between two large split granite boulders[50]. The track continues to lead through the wooded forest towards the sound of the road and, about 500m after passing between the split rocks, the track leads down some stone steps[51] and across a metal bridge[52] spanning Sawpit Creek. Just after crossing the creek, the walk comes to an intersection on the edge of a large clearing, next to the Kosciuszko Rd embankment[53].Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads across the clearing[54] then through the underpass[55], under Kosciuszko Rd. The underpass may become impassable after rain, in which case you can walk around and cross over the road. The walk continues a short distance along the paved path[56] on the other side of the tunnel to the ‘Waterfall Track’ sign[57] (on the western side of Sawpit Creek Picnic Area).

Maps for the Waterfall Walk walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Cross sectional view of the Waterfall Walk bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Waterfall Walk

Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

Length

5.8 km

Time

2 hrs 15 mins

.

Grade 3/6

Moderate track

AS 2156.1

Gradient

Short steep hills (3/6)

Quality of track

Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)

Signs

Directional signs along the way (3/6)

Experience Required

No experience required (1/6)

Weather

Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Infrastructure

Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

3.2km of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps and another 2.5km has short steep hills. The remaining (110m) is flat with no steps.

Quality of track

Around 6km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 110m follows a smooth and hardened path.

Signs

Around 6km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 110m is clearly signposted.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 6km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 6km of this walk is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety, whilst the remaining 110m is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure

Around 6km of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 110m is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Waterfall Walk walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-kosciunp-wt
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.